Jose Mourinho says he was “humble sufficient to apologise” to referee Antonio Rapuano after accepting he deserved his newest pink card in Roma’s late 1-1 draw with Torino.
Roma head coach Mourinho was despatched to the stands within the 88th minute together with his facet a purpose down for repeatedly protesting selections made by the official in Sunday’s fiery contest.
Mourinho watched on from the Stadio Olimpico stands as Nemanja Matic rescued some extent with a 94th-minute purpose – Roma’s newest at residence within the league in 12 years.
The 59-year-old is not any stranger to being given his marching orders and didn’t react kindly to being banished from the sidelines, however he later held his palms up for his actions.
“It was the appropriate determination – my phrases to the referee deserved a pink card,” he informed DAZN. “I spoke to him after and apologised, however I don’t need to speak about his efficiency.
“I used to be humble sufficient to apologise, however I’ll depart his efficiency and the hypothetical affect on the match to you.
“I don’t need to speak about what we stated, that was non-public. My phrases deserved a pink card, however I cannot decide the referee’s efficiency.”
Matic’s dramatic late leveller got here instantly after substitute Paulo Dybala had hit the body of the purpose, whereas former Torino striker Andrea Belotti missed an injury-time penalty simply moments earlier in an thrilling finish to the competition.
Mourinho’s facet enter the World Cup break seventh in Serie A after profitable simply considered one of their previous 5 matches.
The ten factors the Giallorossi have collected from their opening seven residence league video games this time period is their lowest return for the reason that 2005-06 season, when accruing eight.
Roma’s disappointing type has coincided with Dybala’s month-long absence from the facet, with the Argentina worldwide making a distinction on his return in opposition to Torino.
“There are two video games tonight – one till the seventieth minute and one after,” Mourinho stated. “Till the seventieth, Roma followers needed to simply go residence.
“However within the ultimate 20 minutes we created extra, maybe greater than we have now carried out within the final 4 or 5 video games. Why? Simple, as a result of Dybala got here on.
“When you could have a participant like Paulo and he doesn’t play, it’s totally different. What number of further factors would we have now now if Dybala hadn’t been injured?
“The break is arising, will probably be the appropriate second for sure gamers to take a look at themselves and check out somewhat self-criticism.
“Regardless of all these issues, we’re a united group. A group that misses a penalty on the 92nd minute is normally useless, however not us, we stored going.”
Roma host Bologna on their return to motion on January 4, earlier than travelling to reigning champions Milan 4 days later.